(9) Their houses are safe from fear.--On the contrary, Zophar had just said that "a fire not blown should consume him" (Job 20:26), and Bildad (in Job 18:15) that "destruction should dwell in his tabernacle, and brimstone be scattered on his habitation."

Verse 9. - Their houses are safe from fear; literally, their houses are in peacewithout fear. Neither is the rod of God upon them. So Asaph, "They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men" (Psalm 73:5). The chastening rod of God does not seem to smite them.

21:7-16 Job says, Remarkable judgments are sometimes brought upon notorious sinners, but not always. Wherefore is it so? This is the day of God's patience; and, in some way or other, he makes use of the prosperity of the wicked to serve his own counsels, while it ripens them for ruin; but the chief reason is, because he will make it appear there is another world. These prospering sinners make light of God and religion, as if because they have so much of this world, they had no need to look after another. But religion is not a vain thing. If it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting on the outside of it. Job shows their folly.